Category Archives: Disneyland

John “Doc” Anello leads his own big band at the historic Carnation Plaza Gardens in Disneyland

I’m sad to report that Mouse Clubhouse friend John “Doc” Anello has passed away. Doc had a fascinating Disney career, and I had fun interviewing backstage at Disneyland’s Carnation Plaza Gardens a few years ago, which I’ll share on here really soon! After leading his own big band, Doc began his Disney career as Production Manager at Disneyland in 1975, making sure all entertainment venues in the park were up and running smoothly. In his second year, Doc took over another great Disney tradition, the All American College Band Program, giving top college musicians a once in a lifetime music, performance, and educational opportunity. Doc told me, “I set up auditions around the country and auditioned students from the various colleges. We then chose those students who would be invited to participate both at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. My title at that time was Education Program Director. I left Disney in 1980 to accept a professorship at College of The Desert in Palm Desert and was there for eight years. We developed a singing, dancing performing group and performed locally and at various locations around the country. After I left the college, I returned to Disney in 1992 and I was assigned as Manager of Talent Booking (for Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel). Sonny Anderson was working primarily in Florida at that time. I left that position I believe in 1996 and decided I would just kick back and start my band again. Stan Freese was working here and I told him I’ve got the band, and we started playing here and I’ve been here ever since, just playing the one night a month. It’s been a great association.” “Doc” will be missed.

Disneyland executive vice president Norm Doerges was on hand along with two of the attraction’s contributors X Atencio and Marc Davis, both of whom I interviewed for Mouse Clubhouse! X wrote the script and the lyrics to the Yo Ho song and Marc designed the scenes you see as you ride by.

Pirates of the Caribbean contributors X Atencio and Marc Davis christen one of the boatsA boy was pulled up from the audience to help out as X and Marc christened one of the Pirates boats, with celebratory streamers, too.

A display of Marc Davis’ concept art for Pirates of the Caribbean was presented in the Disney GalleryAfter that, we were all invited to the Disney Gallery, above the attraction, for a display of some of Marc’s concept artwork for the attraction, such as the Jolly Roger pictured below. By the way, when you ride through, that’s X’s voice as the Jolly Roger, who asks, “Ye come seeking adventure in salty old pirates, eh?” and warns you, “Dead men tell no tales.”

Jim Adams delights an audience member during the “Golden Horseshoe Revue”As puppeteer, Don Payne takes a break during a television appearance to promote Disney’s “101 Dalmatians”

I just posted my interview with Disneyland entertainers Jim Adams and Don Payne, who during the 1970s were involved in performing, writing and directing shows for Disneyland an on tour across the country for Disney. CLICK HERE for interview and more photos

There’s something truly special about the Disney characters . I grew up going to Disneyland, and one of my earliest memories of the Disney characters was when the Big Bad Wolf was in a parade and came over to me and I cried! It’s kind of funny now. Since my last name is Wolf, I think we’re kind of family.

I’ve had many wonderful memories of the Disney characters since that old wolf scared the heck out of me, and into my adulthood I have never stopped getting that special feeling about the characters. I’ve witnessed grown adults crying tears of joy when meeting them, and I have heard extraordinary stories firsthand of how the Disney characters have touched people’s lives.

It remains exciting for me to see the characters in different situations. When I was working on a project for Disney back in the ’90s, I obtained a list of what’s called “overdressings” for Mickey. It’s Mickey’s special wardrobe besides his usual outfit. There was Mickey’s space outfit, Mickey’s patriotic outfit, a cowboy outfit, raincoat and hat, and hundreds of others. I feel these outfits bring new dimension, versatility and freshness to the characters.

Seeing the Disney characters in the “real world,” is also a special experience. The first time I saw Mickey Mouse outside of Disneyland was in 1988 when I was working at the Disney Studios, and Mickey visited the lot for his 60th birthday celebration. It’s a different feeling when he steps out of his world and into yours, making everything that much more believable. They had a photo location for employees to get a Polaroid photo with the birthday boy. There was a long line, and it was all adults waiting to snap a special moment! There was certainly no doubt that Mickey and his friends were not just for kids.

One place that you can meet the Disney characters away from the resorts is on a Disney Cruise! Yes, those characters get around! It’s great to travel to an island in the Bahamas, but even more memorable to disembark and see Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, from “Peter Pan”, with the beautiful tropical backdrop! (You can see my photo of the duo on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay here). Above is a photo I took of Minnie Mouse on Castaway Cay, with the Disney Dream cruise ship behind her.

There are two stories in particular that come to mind whenever I think of the impact of the Disney characters.

The 1977 Disneyland Ambassador to the World, Susan Donald Edwards told me her memories of when she visited a children’s hospital with Mickey. A child who had been stricken with cancer talked to Mickey and the nurses seemed stunned. They were literally in tears. It wasn’t until after the meeting that Susan learned the child had not spoken for two weeks.

A similar story to Susan, the 1974 Disneyland Ambassador to the World, Carol DeKeyser Masters told me of when she visited a children’s hospital with Mickey Mouse. A little boy who had suffered a brain injury from a car accident had not spoken for over two years, and the specialists were trying to determine if he was what they call elective mute or if the brain was just not able to form words. When Carol and Mickey entered the room, the boy said, “Mickey Mouse,” and doctors and nurses fell to their knees crying. Carol did not learn of the situation until after the situation, and then was moved to tears herself.

I believe that these stories really emphasize that the Disney characters are not just special, but that there really is something magical about them.

I just posted my interview with Disney Legend and Imagineer, Orlando Ferrante, who talks about his time coordinating everything from attractions to complete Disney parks, as well as Disney’s participation in the 1964/1965 New York World’s Fair, and the Disney Cruise Line. CLICK HERE for the interview

Disney’s float for the pre-show of the 1993 Tournament of Roses parade

Thought I’d post these photos I took for Disney 24 years ago at the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena. In addition to this float for the pre-show, Disneyland was also represented in the main parade as well. Standing in the red coat behind Mickey and Minnie below is Kathleen Mitts the 1993 Disneyland Ambassador to the World.
From Shani & I, have a wonderful 2017!!!

Chip, Gadget, Dale and other Disney characters on board a unit in the pre-show of the 1993 Tournament of Roses parade

Here are a couple photos I took almost a quarter century ago in 1992. The elaborate Very Merry Christmas Parade at Disneyland began with an overture of Disney tunes over the speakers, followed by the live trumpeters. The first half of the parade featured scenes from classic Disney movies, including Snow White, Fantasia, Mary Poppins and others. The second half of the parade featured many of the elements in the current A Christmas Fantasy parade, including the snowmen, skating snowflakes, and of course Santa Claus and his reindeer for the finale.

I just posted my interview with Kathleen Mitts, the 1993 Disneyland Ambassador to the World. In this conversation, Kathleen talks about her exciting year representing Disneyland in this unique role, and how she ended up as part of the Space Mountain attraction. CLICK HERE for the interview and lots of photos.

What is now the entrance to Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland, as it appeared in 1991, the entrance to the Meet Baloo attraction

When I became an assistant producer on Disney’s TaleSpin animated television series, I never thought it would end up being a big part of an exciting year at Disneyland in 1991! TaleSpin was part of the very first two-hour Disney animated block on television entitled “The Disney Afternoon” in 1990.

In 1991, the Disney Afternoon Live promotion at Disneyland includes special shows and parades and attractions. I always loved Disneyland, so to have an abundance of TV Animation represented was particularly exciting for me, especially having worked on TaleSpin since the start.

I hope you enjoy some of my happy memories, and feel free to click on any photo to view it larger.

Construction on the Meet Baloo attraction at Disneyland in 1991Inside the Meet Baloo attraction. This successful experiment led the way to the current Meet Mickey attractionThe complimentary Disneyland souvenir guide featured Mickey and Minnie with Disney Afternoon friendsThe Disneyland Cast Member newsletter featuring The Disney Afternoon at DisneylandThe Disneyland Motor Boat Cruise attraction was transformed into Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen during the Disney Afternoon Live in 1991The Plane Crazy show at Videopolis in Disneyland, 1991The “Friends for Life” number from the Plane Crazy show at Videopolis. Baloo is missing his TaleSpin outfit during this rehearsal performanceA party at Louie’s in the Plane Crazy show at DisneylandTwo Gummi Bears pose in the Afternoon Avenue in DisneylandGadget poses in Afternoon Avenue in DisneylandFat Cat poses at the Duckburg Train Depot stop of the Disneyland RailroadMixing up shows, characters from TaleSpin pose in front of the DuckTales school in Disneyland

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Thanks for visiting my blog! For those that don’t know me, I’m currently a freelance writer / researcher, but my Disney career began in 1988, working for Disney TV Animation first on “DuckTales” and then as asst. producer of Disney’s “TaleSpin.” Over the years I’ve done everything from writing articles about Disney history for their official website to Disney photography. If you still really want to know more, you can visit my SCOTT’S BIO page. Let me know what you think if you like what I’m sharing on this site! Thanks for visiting!